A/N: I'm a bad person, and i know it. Urgh, i have no excuses for not updating this time... Except for the fact that i'm so tired of this story at the moment. But ah, i am going to finish it, i promise. Hope you guys like it, and thanks to everyone who sent me reviews - those are the one and only thing that makes me write. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Madison knew her friend was right. As usual. She chatted to Stephanie for a few more minutes before ending the call and walking out into the hall.

"Where are you going?" Suzie asked from the kitchen. "It's dinner soon."

"How soon?"

"In an hour."

"I'll be back soon. I have to talk to Michael about a school project we're doing together," she lied.

"Alright. But be back by dinner."

"I will," she called back, leaving the apartment. During the walk to the Watson's, Madison lost count of the number of times she felt like turning back. But Stephanie's words were still in her head, and they made her keep going.

'If you wait, then it might be too late.'

She turned to the street where Michael and his family lived. Four houses away… Three… Two…

She stopped in front of the house she had been to so many times in the last two years. Two years? Wasn't it more? No. But it felt like so much more. It felt like a lifetime, and now…

…now everything might be gone.

Because of her mistake. Maybe there wouldn't be more visits to the Watson's. Taking a deep breath she walked up to the door. She pressed the doorbell, there were a couple of hurried steps on the other side of the door, and then it was opened.

Michael's face was expressionless but, again, his eyes spoke for him. His eyes told her he was still really hurt by what she had done.

"Please don't slam the door in my face," she said and hoped he wouldn't do just that. "Michael, we need to talk. There is an explanation for what I did, and I'm begging you to listen," she continued when he didn't move, or reply. At first she thought he would slam the door in her face, but he didn't. He sighed, and joined her outside.

"I'm taking a walk," he yelled over his shoulder and then shut the door behind him.

They walked a few yards before Madison spoke, "Michael, what I did when we met last time… I didn't do it because I don't like you, because I do. A lot. But I don't know if you understand how hard this is for me. I know, and I know you know too, that Joachim likes me. Just like you do. And I like you both-" Michael stopped. "I like both of you, but in two very different ways." Michael started walking beside her again. "I like Joachim a lot too; he's a good friend of mine, just likr you are. But when I think of you, I think of you as more than a friend, Michael. But since I like both of you so much, and I know Joachim likes me too, I can't just hurt him. Don't you see how hurt he would be, if his brother and the girl he likes became a couple?"

Michael didn't answer, just kept walking beside her. They had now come to a small town park. They kept walking in silence, and neither saying anything for a while. Madison kept the silence to let Michael think. When she realized he didn't plan to answer her, she continued. "I love you Michael, I really do. But I… I just can't hurt your brother. Not like that."

There was another lengthy silence before Michael answered.

"And what about… what about us?"

She smiled, and when she looked into his eyes, she said the opposite of what she had planned to.

"Things can exist without… without really existing, you know."

When Michael didn't understand things, his face contorted into a very funny look, that made Madison laugh and this wasn't an exception. She couldn't help but laugh, and then, without thinking, she hugged him tightly. At first he just stood there, unresponsive but then he hugged her back.

"I'm sorry I wouldn't look or talk to you in school," he whispered in her ear. "I just… I thought you'd come to me with something like 'I like you Michael, but not like that'. But knowing you feel the same way for me, as I feel for you makes me feel a lot better already."

She smiled, and he kissed her lightly on her cheek. She looked up and faced him. His face was relaxed, and she could see happiness in his eyes. She knew he must see the same thing in her eyes.

"Don't tell Joachim about this. Please, Michael, don't."

He didn't reply.

"Michael, I'm begging you. Don't tell him. We have to do it when the time is right. And that is not now."

"I won't... But until then?"

"We'll be discreet," she replied, and on her toes, without really thinking, she kissed him. He kissed her back full heartedly.

Later that night, when she had said goodnight to Michael, she was sitting on her bed. All through dinner she had been happy, laughing all the time. Her mother had noticed her behavior to be a lot different from when she left the house, earlier. But she knew her daughter needed privacy, and therefore didn't ask what she had done in the hour she had been out.

Now, when Madison sat on her bed, her untouched homework in front of her, she couldn't think of anyone or anything else other than Michael.

She already missed him. She wanted to be in his arms. She wanted to be in his arms until all problems were solved, and the sun was high in the sky again.

She woke up happy the following morning, without remembering why. And then all that had happened the night before came back to her. Michael. She sighed happily. She was so happy that she wanted to jump, sing and dance.

You've just ruined your friendship with one of your best friends, a voice inside her told her.

'But I've got Michael'she replied to her thoughts.

Ready to win Michael, but lose Joachim then? The voice asked.

' … '

Farewell Joachim, the voice said cruelly.

'I've still got Michael…'

For two years we've known each other, Joachim, but that's enough.

'Stop it!'

I hope you're proud of yourself.

'I love Michael.'

Farewell Joachim.

Madison impulsively picked up her schoolbook and threw it against the wall. It felt good. And just as suddenly as the voice came, it was gone.

Even though she would never admit it to the voice ('what the hell was that anyway?!'), the things it had said had an effect on her. She felt guilty, and knew deep inside it was right in everything it said.

She ate breakfast, then showered and dressed. Forty-five minutes later she was walking up the stairs to the school building and as she had suspected, Michael was there waiting for her. He made an attempt to hug her, but she looked him right in his eyes and they told him not to do something that told people they were more than friends.

School went by, and Madison was happy all day and did her best during all her lessons. Michael did as she had asked him; acted as if they were nothing but friends. But none of them could help laughing and smiling in each others presence.
Joachim was still sick, but Michael told her he would probably be back by the following day.

The day went by, and when school was over, the two of them walked home slowly.

"Michael, I've been thinking…" He thought he knew what was coming. "We can't… we just can't do this to Joachim."

"But Madison… I accept that we should keep it quiet, until he's ready to hear it. But what about us? Are we gonna ignore all our feelings and do what would make everyone else happy, and not what we want?"

"I.. Oh, I don't know Michael! I feel so guilty when we do this, but all the same I love you, and now when I know you love me back, it's much harder to ignore it."

He didn't reply, instead he put his arm over her shoulders.

"Michael!"

"What? Friends can do this!"

She tried to give him an angry look, but she couldn't. She was nothing but happy that he had his arms round her shoulders.

Instead of giving him an angry look, she smiled and laid her head on his shoulder.

When Stephanie called that evening, Madison was in a much better mood.

"You've talked to Michael?" Was the first thing Stephanie asked.

"Yes…" And Madison told her everything that had happened and that had been said between them.

"Thank god, I'm so glad it turned out alright!" Stephanie said when Madison was finished.

"I know, I'm so happy!"

"But what are you going to do about Joachim?"

"I don't know… Sometimes I just feel so evil, and I'm scared I might lose him as a friend. I don't know if Michael realizes how hurt he would be if he found out. And we can't hide it forever."

"No you can't. And Madison, don't stay quiet for too long. That might make the damage even worse."

"I'll try…" Why did Stephanie sound just like that stupid voice? Deep down Madison knew how damaging this whole relationship could be for Joachim.

"Mad, did I tell you about Luke's eyes?" Stephanie asked now when she had made sure her friend would tell Joachim as soon as possible.

"No! Tell me, how is he?"

"He's so cute! You can't imagine his eyes! They are grey, and sooo beautiful! And he's so strong! Sometimes he lifts me up!"

'I can lift you up too, hun. Anybody can,' Madison thought, but kept her thought in her head.

"Wow."

"Yeah, he's amazing Mad. Amazing." Stephanie was lost in her thoughts, and Madison could've said anything and still she wouldn't have reacted.

"How long have you been together now then?"

"Three days," Stephanie said, still lost in thoughts. "I really love him, Mad."

"But didn't you say your parents don't like him?" Madison asked, trying to make her friend come back to earth.

"No, and I can't see why! I mean, yes, he might seem a bit… rougher than other guys I've dated – but when you get to know him you realize he's not like that! He does anything for me, and really loves me."

"Well, Steph, I'm not saying I'm agreeing with your parents… but if they really think he isn't for you… well…" She stopped. "Whatever, forget it."

"You've not even met him, and you're agreeing with mom and dad!"

"No, I'm not! I'm just trying to tell you to be careful. I don't want you to get hurt."

"I won't. He would never hurt me."

"If you say so, then I believe you," Madison said, but she wasn't completely honest.

"Anyway, I've got to go. But Mad, you have to promise me you'll tell Joachim. Soon."

"I will. I care too much for our friendship not to tell him."

"Good. And I trust you on that. So don't let me down, Mad. 'Cause both of them mean too much to you. Don't let this disappear." The sudden seriousness in Stephanie's voice made Madison surprised. It wasn't often her friend was that serious.

"I won't. I promise."

"Bye sweetheart. Take care."

"You too, honey. You too."

After the call, Madison promised herself that she'd speak to Michael about this tomorrow. They had to tell Joachim.

What if he got mad? What if she lost him as friend? What if the next day was the last day they would be friends? The last day they laughed and talked to each other? She put those thoughts out of her head. It would be alright. It had to.

Instead she started worrying about Stephanie. She couldn't help but thinking that this Luke maybe wasn't as nice as Stephanie said. It wasn't that Madison didn't trust Stephanie, because she did, but sometimes her friend could be… Too trusting and blind towards the truth.

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